Question 84-1: Author Henry Lachouque mentions in his book "The Last Days of Napoleon's Empire", ( Orion Press, New York, 1967), on page 118, some orders from Captain Bonnefoux, port-admiral of Rochefort to the units under his command. One of these orders was sent to " Captain Coudein, commanding the 14th Seaborne Marines, formed at Rochefort from the 27th and 28th Ship's Companies by Imperial decree of April 26th last." a. What organization form did the 14th 5eaborne Marines use and were they standard for all Seaborne Marine units? b. Were they Marines or Sailors? c. Were they crossed-trained in both artillery and musket drill? Partial Answer: The following is from "The Campaign of 1815......" by General Baron Gaspard Gourgaud, page 9; "Twenty regiments of marine infantry, each consisting of two battalions, were recruited with sailors, who had served in the navy, were ordered to be raised. They were formed by the department of the marine, and their officers were captains, lieutenants, and ensignes de vaisseau. These regiments assembled at Cherbourg, Brest, Rochefort and Toulon_ They were destined to guard our coasts, ports, and naval establishments, and it was calculated that one half of their number might, in the course of August, be applied to reinforce the army in active service." Thus we find that they were sailors, in two battalion regiments and expected to join the army in the field, using the musket drill. How­ever, more data is needed. What about a uniform? Question 84-2: Did the Dutch Horse Grenadiers of the 1806-1810 period carry a standard and if so, what did it look like? Question 84-3: Was there a proscribed uniform for the Staff and Aide-de-Camps of Louis Bonaparte when King of Holland? Question 84-4: What color were the 1806-1610 Dutch gun carriages, limbers and artillery rolling stock? Question 84-5: Part of the defending forces of the city of Flushing on Walcheren Is­land in 1809 were the 1st Battalion Colonial infantry in grey uniforms, with an effective strength of 869, and a Chasseur Battalion comprised of returned French deserters of 1,089. a. Were the Colonials under Army or Navy control? b. Was a standard and eagle issued to these or other Colonial troops? c. What was their system of internal organization? ( Both light and grenadier companies are mentioned in the above text.) d. Did the Battalion of Chasseurs wear the regular Chasseur uniform? e. What was their system or organization? Question 84-6: When 'extra' or spare gun carriages were taken on campaign, how were they transported in the field; Were they attached to the ammunition wagons, or pulled by a reduced team of limber horses with a spare limber. Question 84-7: What is the device von Pivka incorrectly called the Arms of Poland in his Osprey booklet "Napoleon's German Allies: (3) Saxony? Answer: What von Pivka describes as being the Arms of Poland is in fact the Arms of Office for the Hereditary Marshal (Brzreichmarschall) of the Holy Roman Empire of the German states of which the Electors of Saxony were. Question 84-8: Is the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Saxony Still in existence? Answer: The current Head of the Royal House of Wettin is his Roval Highness, Prince Maria Emanuel,Margrave of Meissen (this last title is always reserved solely for the head of the Royal house; this last title is reserved solely for the Head of the Royal House) and if my genealogical statistics are correct, he is the great-great-great-great-great-great grand nephew of King Friedrich August I; in addition to being the grandson of the last King of Saxony. Regretably, he is without issue and will be succeeded by his brother, Prince Albert who I be­lieve has two sons (if I am incorrect and there are no issues but HRH Prince Albert, the Royal House could become extinct). Of course, a Royal Family Council could avoid this by allowing the succession to pass through the female line. Back to Empire, Eagles, & Lions Table of Contents Vol. 1 No. 84 Back to EEL List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1985 by Emperor's Headquarters This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com